Creativity and Problem Solving

The pictures below demonstrates how the children’s planning of a project feeds into the making of a product. They can refer to prior learning, using the title pages. Alongside specific skills that are taught in FTs (Focused Tasks) children develop their critical thinking through IEAs (Investigative and Evaluative Activities).

Furniture for Toys - Reception

Children in Reception were asked the question ‘How can we make the dolls more comfortable at the doctor’s surgery?’ The children made suggestions using their own understanding of the world and the materials that they found around them. The children talked about how they could make a cot, a chair and a buggy. The product was tested out using a doll and changes were fed into the ongoing projects the children were making.

Replica London Buildings - Year 1

In Year One, as part of their topic about The Local Area the children made buildings that they have seen in London. They talked about, and drew, the shapes they saw within the buildings and how they could make a freestanding model. Again, as in the Reception class, the planning stage is a result of mostly speaking and listening.

The Mechanics of Puppets - Year 4

In Year Four, the children built upon the skills they learnt from making cards in Key Stage One. Using their understanding of the movement of linkages and levers the children made puppets. Their annotated diagrams reflect their understanding of the DMEA (Design, Make and Evaluate Assignment) and their enjoyment was evident in the need to take the puppets home to show them off!

Sewing Advent Calendars - Year 5

In Year Five, the children were engaged in the timely project of making a pocket for the their years advent calendar. They used squared paper to be able to save fabric and visualise the steps in sewing the pocket. The considerations for the pocket design were decorative and functional; to make the decision, the children looked at fasteners and different designs of numbers.